Friday, June 12, 2009
Mean Girl/Merlin explains what made him unhappy that he won.
We started with a Mini Challenge of making a campaign shirt for a girl running for class president at her school. My shirt was themed "Mean Girls" but I did not understand exactly what a "mean girl" was. Danielle explained to me that a mean girl was similar to a drama queen. I hated it.
For the elimination challenge we had to include our shirt theme somehow into a new garment. Horrible. I had to transform an ugly duck into a swan. I was a little disappointed and frustrated because I wasn't 100% sure what a mean girl was and didn't know how they dressed. So I made my own version of a "mean girl." I think each one of us has some sort of mean girl quality inside us and we use it when it's convenient to disguise ourselves and stay in the social world we'd like to stay in. I ended up winning the challenge, but I think Lidia should have won because she was the wisest in this challenge.
I have realized that Havan, Danielle, and Anna think that they can go through life pushing and trampling everything that is in their way. The cameras do not show who they really are.
Barbie is not more than the competition but in all the ways that follow I'm thinking that Haven does not have anything in her head and it is contaminated by the aerosol that she uses for her hair but it's good because it acts like an exterminator and kills off all the flies. Kisses, Barbie.
I'm a professional designer with years of experience over and beyond some of my competitors. Although this challenge was outside of what I do in my normal day-to-day business, I'm a professional and can pull a little magic out of my hands to pull off any challenge. My outfit was totally wearable and my idea of a "Mean Girl" is a snooty uptight woman, the kind you might find in Bel-Air.I was a little disappointed because I ended up in the top two in this challenge alongside BARBIE. It's like comparing me with a bicycle without wheels, Lidia i feel would have been a much better match.
For the elimination challenge we had to include our shirt theme somehow into a new garment. Horrible. I had to transform an ugly duck into a swan. I was a little disappointed and frustrated because I wasn't 100% sure what a mean girl was and didn't know how they dressed. So I made my own version of a "mean girl." I think each one of us has some sort of mean girl quality inside us and we use it when it's convenient to disguise ourselves and stay in the social world we'd like to stay in. I ended up winning the challenge, but I think Lidia should have won because she was the wisest in this challenge.
I have realized that Havan, Danielle, and Anna think that they can go through life pushing and trampling everything that is in their way. The cameras do not show who they really are.
Barbie is not more than the competition but in all the ways that follow I'm thinking that Haven does not have anything in her head and it is contaminated by the aerosol that she uses for her hair but it's good because it acts like an exterminator and kills off all the flies. Kisses, Barbie.
I'm a professional designer with years of experience over and beyond some of my competitors. Although this challenge was outside of what I do in my normal day-to-day business, I'm a professional and can pull a little magic out of my hands to pull off any challenge. My outfit was totally wearable and my idea of a "Mean Girl" is a snooty uptight woman, the kind you might find in Bel-Air.I was a little disappointed because I ended up in the top two in this challenge alongside BARBIE. It's like comparing me with a bicycle without wheels, Lidia i feel would have been a much better match.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Having Faith/Merlin accepts his faults and recognizes what he has to do to rectify them.
I wasn't happy with my outfit this time. The challenge left me unsure because this time we had to dress real women but in this business we dress the models with the concept of photo studios or video rooms.
To have Danielle win the Mini Challenge and get to pick someone to be put in the elimination round was one of the most difficult things for me without a doubt.
The lady that I had for this challenge, Amber, is beautiful and adorable like the heavens.
It pained me that I didn't achieve my goal with this dress and that I was in the elimination group. I am the type of person that when I commit an error I accept the situation and learn from the consequences of my problem. I have a lot of faith in me and I'm going to continue going to the beat of my heart. I thank God that the judges have given me mercy and let me continue in this competition. I know I have to socialize more with my fellow workers because they help me give better results with my work.
To have Danielle win the Mini Challenge and get to pick someone to be put in the elimination round was one of the most difficult things for me without a doubt.
The lady that I had for this challenge, Amber, is beautiful and adorable like the heavens.
It pained me that I didn't achieve my goal with this dress and that I was in the elimination group. I am the type of person that when I commit an error I accept the situation and learn from the consequences of my problem. I have a lot of faith in me and I'm going to continue going to the beat of my heart. I thank God that the judges have given me mercy and let me continue in this competition. I know I have to socialize more with my fellow workers because they help me give better results with my work.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Grabbing the Bull by the Horns/Merlin doesn't hold back when talking about his fellow designers.
I can not believe that I'm still competing in this incredible odyssey. Seriously, The Fashion Show is the most important thing that has happened in my life. So far the competition has been difficult but not that hard for me. The judges, for good or for bad, are always correct and very good and wise with their comments. Blessed be God that they are! I continue fighting in my world of fantasy galactic by keeping both feet on the ground and remembering that I'm only dressing humans, not God or goddesses.
I'm not going to make excuses that I don't have formal fashion school training or that I haven't worked with famous designers before but in the end it does not matter. What's important is that I show that I can do it, that I try to put the best of me in each challenge and get better and better.
Today we are not working in teams and I'm so happy. I admit those beautiful shoes of Giuseppe Zanotti have left me hypnotized for the colors. I have finished moving each aspect of the shoe and detail into my outfit which will be super gorgeous but the look will be exaggerated like always. The best thing I can do is to grab the bull by the horns.
Angel, I'm happy that she dresses like the general public and I hope she continues to do so.
Daniella, it doesn't surprise me that she won the other week, yet again, her outfit is safe and forgettable. She'll continue to win and gain a lot of success. Reco has a lot of talent and knows how to take risks. He is a diamond in the rough and I'm happy to know him. I'm happy for him that he won the right.
Finally Andrew is gone. It is obvious that he is not interested in the world of fashion. He is a "man" of business and is here only for the publicity and he's got that from this. "Lidia Lidia". Lidia doesn't listen to advice or allow help; she's always making excuses and complaining. Finally everyone will see and witness what I've been telling them all season.
In general, I feel tired to be here and that the products I've made has given me the opportunity to show what I can do and I'm not misleading anyone. I continue to try and give the best of me and may God help me!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Love,LIfe,Liberty,Merlin Castell
Love, Life, Liberty, Merlin Castell
Thursday, May 28, 2009 – By Laura Medina, West Hollywood
West Hollywood, California (Thursday, May 28, 2009) - During Memorial Day weekend, we vegetate on the beach, the barbeque, or chilling in front of the tube.
Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
It takes an unlikely man to remind us the true meaning of the holiday. A man so passionate about freedom and liberty, it comes out of the blue, Merlin Castell, haute couture women’s’ wear and a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.”
Taking a breather from doing rounds of contests and promotions, he offers a very rare glimpse into his soul, a candid tale of growing up gay in a small Honduran village to loving Los Angeles and America then competing on a television show in New York.
The usually extroverted Mr. Castell unexpectedly becomes introspective, calmly reflecting on his passage of being an immigrant, being gay in a free society then equating it with his patriotism for his adopted country.
In a middle of a banana field, a tiny village lines up for a polio vaccination. A weeping eight-year old Castell begs not to be poked. A missionary nurse promises him a comic book if he please stops. He did. As a reward, he got it but it was not a comic book. It was a Forties Vogue Magazine.
As a forlorn gay boy, the magazine’s glamour and art gave him the desire to dream about a bigger world beyond his humble village.
Growing up, his family did not have a television. They walked over to a neighbor to watch one. The simple act of watching television was so exhilarating. This too, gave him the ambition to visualize about all sorts of possibilities.
Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
As for that vintage Vogue, Castell proudly states it is still with him to this day. Actually, it is his bible. It goes everywhere with him from Honduras to Los Angeles to Milan then to Manhattan.
People ask him where he gets his ideas. He matter-of-factly replies he tries to stimulate the looks from that magazine.
Most people misconstrue his enthusiasm for flamboyance, his drive for egotism. If you do, do not worry. He treasures the freedom for fashion, art, and beauty and the opportunity to exceed. Something he could never do in his native Honduras.
“I was discriminated against because I was gay. I was interested in fashion; loved fashion; and everybody in school made fun of me.”
When he was eleven, Mr. Castell begun to customized the clothes his mother bought them.
“In school, nobody gets it.”
This is where having the freedom to be gay intersects with America’s liberties, the freedom of expression that exists only here.
Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
Underneath the flash, there is a fierce patriotism and love for the United States.
“I am so thankful I live in a country to be whoever I want to be and express myself. We (designers) are artists. I dress for myself. I dress in the way I like. I am different.”
Mr. Castell loves America. He treasures its choices and the acceptance of having the right to be an individual.
“From where I come from, there’s a lot of discrimination and problems. America, it’s like Candyland. Thank god, I have the opportunities. It’s worth it. People are amazing. Americans, they have everything here. It’s normal for them. Thank god, I live in this beautiful country.”
Being different means seeing the world in a different perspective, Mr. Castell is very worldly.
Milan disappointed him. For Castell, Europe is very conservative, commenting old people are very much in control. It was a let down.
In America, a person can rebel. You can express yourself.
Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
“It is young. It is fresh. You make your mark.”
For all the distracters who mock his image, his style, his accent, and his zeal, there is a depth of astuteness a few have witnessed.
Defending his image, Mr. Castell unintentionally reinforced his love of liberty.
“I read the postings and I’m shocked. People are making fun of my English and the way I dress. I have an “unique English.”
He is grateful this country gives him the chance to express himself, dressing for himself, no one else.
Appearing in a nationwide show, Mr. Castell sees this as good fortune to exhibit his mettle, “What I love, I have the opportunity to show I’m doing my own thing. I have the talent. I am the full package.”
Despite his “unique English,” Castell articulately elaborates on the rigmarole of being a contestant.
“In the competition, they don’t give any details until the last minute.”
In addition to only having six to seven hours to finish an outfit, they still have to make appearances and conduct interviews.
“We have a lot of pressure in the show, but it’s worth it.”
Merlin Castell of WeHo, a contestant in Bravo’s “The Fashion Show.” WeHo News.
Mr. Castell was disenchanted by his fellow contestants, flabbergasted by their conservatism, and how commercial they are.
“They’re brainwashed with commercialism. All those kids confused business with fashion. Commercialism, that’s business. Fashion, it’s fantasy. Let the managers handle the business. We (designers) have nothing to do with it. In life, go all the way. In the second episode, I did that.”
He states that it is the designer’s challenge to be original, bringing something new to the table. Despite setbacks, they still have to keep on going.
As for designing for Manhattan socialite, Tinsley Mortimer, this is old hat for him. He is used to designing for celebrities and Beverly Hills socialites but the everyday woman inspires him.
Looking out his hotel window, Castell talked about how beautiful Central Park is, right across the street from him.
New York is a real city. This is his first time in the Big Apple. Fearing the preconceived notion of rudeness, Castell was overcome by the local’s openness and friendliness. For him, it is a refreshing change of pace from the Hollywood scensters.
But, there is no place like LA. Mr. Castell misses working out at 24 Hour Fitness, sipping smoothies, wearing shorts and sandals while scooting around in the beautiful weather.
For him, nothing beats WeHo.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
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